A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) submitted a report to the Interior Ministry on Tuesday regarding the breach of citizens’ data by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) instructed the Interior Ministry to conduct an investigation into the data leak in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Military Intelligence.
The report disclosed that data belonging to 2.7 million Pakistanis was compromised between 2019 and 2023, purportedly involving NADRA offices in Multan, Peshawar, and Karachi.
According to the JIT report, the compromised data traveled from Multan to Peshawar, then was routed to Dubai, and allegedly sold in Argentina and Romania. The report recommended taking action against several senior NADRA officers implicated in the data breach.
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Led by the FIA Director of Cybercrime, the joint investigation team was formed to probe the cyberattack in March 2023, during which sensitive personal data, including that of military personnel, was compromised and stolen.
The JIT presented its findings to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar upon concluding the investigation. The interim Prime Minister instructed NADRA to implement necessary actions based on the JIT’s findings and recommendations. Proposed measures to safeguard citizens’ data include regulatory actions and technological upgrades. Authorities have also initiated compliance measures following the Prime Minister’s directives.
